CSR Programs Gaining Ground

Some 72 percent of companies now have formal corporate responsibility programs, up from 62 percent in 2010, according to a survey by Corporate Responsibility Magazine.

According to the second annual CR Best Practices Survey, dedicated corporate responsibility roles are also on the rise. Some 62 percent of organizations have a lead corporate responsibility role, up fro)m 42 percent in 2010, the survey says.

Despite this general uptick in corporate responsibility programs, mid-sized firms still find it relatively hard to instigate CSR programs when compared to small and large businesses. Seventy seven percent of firms expect to expand their corporate responsibility programs over the next three years, the survey says.

The survey covers the following areas: Executive and board involvement in corporate responsibility, current and future corporate responsibility practice, the function and role of CSR, and CSR communications.